Australia has announced that it will not be bidding for the 2034 World Cup, according to Football Australia. The decision comes after carefully considering all relevant factors. FIFA had invited bids from Asia and Oceania for the tournament, setting an October 31 deadline. However, FA’s focus will now be on bidding for the 2026 Women’s Asian Cup and the 2029 Club World Cup instead.
In a statement, FA stated, “We have explored the opportunity to bid to host the FIFA World Cup and – having taken all factors into consideration – we have reached the conclusion not to do so for the 2034 competition.”
Shortly after FIFA’s invitation was announced earlier this month, Saudi Arabia revealed its bid for the 2034 World Cup. The president of the Asian Football Confederation, to which Australia belongs, expressed support for Saudi Arabia’s bid and stated that “the entire Asian football family” would stand united behind it.
Reporting on this development in Melbourne is Ian Ransom, with editing by Neil Fullick.
